Cevees dominate Palaro dancesport But medals not counted in overall standings

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — The Central Visayas squad dominated the dancesport event but unfortunately the golds will not be counted as it is not a regular sport in the Palarong Pambansa, which formally opened yesterday here at the Leyte Sports Development Center.

Western Visayas took the early lead with four golds and two bronzes from the athletics competition in the secondary level. Region XII trailed WVRAA two golds and two silvers from arnis ,while Region I has a gold that’s good for third spot.

In the elementary level, Regions III and XII shared the top spot with a gold and a silver each, while CVIRAA and Region 4-A occupied the second spot with a gold each. Region VI sat at third spot with a silver and a bronze.

Central Visayas wowed the people of Leyte and the rest when University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) dance athletes swept the golds at stake in the event.

The tandem of Jan Kristoffer Rodis and Ellise Marie Kathleen Plaza ruled the modern standard, while the duo of Lloyd Bellingan and Justhel Tabanag dominated the latin action.

Like last year, dancesport is only a demonstration sport event.

Cebuana Gia Bucag is the only legitimate gold medallist for CVIRAA at this time and no one else had won any medal.

After taking away the gold in the javelin throw, Bucag ailed to make another impressive throw in the shotput.

Kit Ceron Garces saved the day of the CVIRAA boxing team in the first day of action with a convincing 19-2 victory against Region I’s Federico Tatunay Jr.

Three other CVIRAA bets, however, faltered in their bid after being outclassed by their respective opponents.

Antweight Kenneth Gentallan bowed to Michael Bahina of Region XI, 8-16 while secondary fighters pinweight Brandon Tabanes and lightweight Lorenz Romarate lost to Ryn Bajada, 12-8 and Angelo Marcial, 7-31, respectively.

CVIRAA’s table tennis squad though went off to a hot start following a 3-1 win against Region XII in the elementary boys and a 3-2 win against CAVRAA and 3-1 win against Region V in the secondary boys division.

So far, only one Palaro record has been broken via the 800-meter run through Jesabel Montibon of Region VI with a time of two minutes and 23.9 seconds.

Medals are expected to pour in today with the start of swimming competition and athletics going full blast after the opening ceremonies yesterday.

No less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and vice president Noli de Castro graced the affair.

“Supporting a program like this and working together as one, we will not only survive but prosper in this time of global crisis.Ipaiiral natin ang pagkakaisa bilang isang bansa,” Arroyo said. —Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (THE FREEMAN)